Drivers of agricultural quadbikes on public roads that are not wearing protective headgear are being fined by PSNI officers on patrol in rural areas.

The requirement to wear a helmet when driving a quad on a public road became law in NI in July 2017 and reports suggest that officers have been active in enforcing the new rule.

It falls under the same offence as a driver of a two-wheeled motorcycle failing to wear protective headgear. This is a non-endorsable offence, meaning penalty points are not endorsed on a driver’s licence.

The standard financial penalty for non-endorsable offences is a £30 on-the-spot fine. However, this is ultimately up to the digression of the officer and depends on each individual case. Legislation allows for fines of up to £500 to be imposed for failing to wear protective headgear on a quad.

There is no legal requirement to wear a helmet when driving a quad on private land, although it is recommended for safety reasons.